Chevrolet City express problems

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The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis; the latter vehicle is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial-grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks.

In production for a single generation since 1995, over 2.5 million examples of the Express and the Savana have been produced. One of the longest-produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer and Dodge Ram Van for longevity.

Since 1995, General Motors has assembled the Express and Savana at its Wentzville Assembly facility (Wentzville, Missouri). Also, since 2017, GM has sourced commercial cutaway-chassis production from Navistar through its Springfield Assembly Plant (Springfield, Ohio).

photo of Chevrolet City express car production

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Chevrolet City express model years

chevrolet city express 2017 photo
City express 2017
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chevrolet city express 2015 photo
City express 2015
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Common Chevrolet City express problems

Based on complaints from owners of the Chevrolet City Express, several common problems have been reported:

  1. Excessive Tire Wear: Owners have reported issues with excessive tire wear in the 2015 City Express model. This problem can lead to premature tire replacement and affect the vehicle's handling and safety.
  2. Fuel Gauge Not Working: Another common complaint involves the fuel gauge not working properly in the 2015 City Express. A malfunctioning fuel gauge can lead to inaccurate readings, causing inconvenience and potential fuel-related issues.
  3. Vehicle "Rocks" Side to Side: Some owners have experienced a sensation of the vehicle "rocking" side to side in the 2015 City Express. This issue can be concerning as it may affect the stability and comfort of the vehicle while driving.
  4. Entertainment Center Goes Blank: Reports indicate that the entertainment center in the 2015 City Express may experience issues where the display goes blank. This can impact the driver's ability to access important information and entertainment features.
  5. Poor Seat Belt Placement: Owners have raised concerns about poor seat belt placement in the 2015 City Express. Incorrectly positioned seat belts can compromise safety in the event of a collision or sudden stop.

These problems highlight various issues that owners have faced with the Chevrolet City Express, impacting aspects such as safety, comfort, and convenience. Addressing these issues promptly is crucial to ensure the optimal performance and reliability of the vehicle.

Chevrolet City express

Is a Chevy Express van reliable?

The Chevrolet Express 1500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 21 for commercial vans. The average annual repair cost is $963 which means it has poor ownership costs.

How long do Chevy Express engines last?

If you have a 4.3 V6 250,000 miles would be good. If you have a 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L V8 all are LS based engines. Those engines if cared for properly 300,000 is not uncommon. If you drive it like you stole it all the time you will be lucky to make 150,000 miles.

Is the Chevy City Express made by Nissan?

The City Express is a product of a GM partnership with Nissan, which debuted in February 2014. The City Express is nothing more than a rebadged Nissan NV200, which sold considerably better.

What engine is in a Chevy City Express van?

2.0L DOHC I-4

2.0L DOHC I-4

2.0L DOHC I-4
Displacement (cu in / cc):122 / 1997
Bore and stroke (in / mm):3.31 x 3.55 / 84 x 90.1
Block material:cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:cast aluminum

Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet City express years

We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet City express cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Chevrolet City express model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet City express model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet City express years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Chevrolet City express car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet City express , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Air bags problems
  • Fuel/propulsion system problems
  • Structure problems
  • Tires problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet City express vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by City express model years

A total of 1 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by City express model years

There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet City express . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet City express vehicles.

List of Chevrolet City express complaints

Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-25
  • Date Complaint: 2023-08-03
  • VIN: 3N63M0YN2FK
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: I had purchased a set of four Cooper Discoverer HT3 185/60R15C 94T C Tires on 09/11/20. Since that time, three of the four Tires have failed due to Sidewall Failure. Luckily, the scenarios did not result in "Blowouts" in which control of the vehicle would have been compromised. I returned to the National tire and Battery where the tires were purchased after the first incident and was told that the Sidewall Damage was my fault as I had obviously hit a curb. I informed the young man in charge that this was highly unlikely as it was the inner Sidewall of the Tire and no "Scuff Marks" were present. He declined to assist me in any warranty replacement as I did not purchase their "Road Hazard Insurance". His attitude and lack of assistance has ended my affiliation with NTB!07
Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-05-08
  • Date Complaint: 2023-05-10
  • VIN: 3N63M0ZN7FK
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: My vehicle was never corrected for the Recall described below, from my recollection. My understanding is that the 2015 Chevrolet City Express van was recalled due to an issue with the passenger-side airbag sensor, which could incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. The defect: in affected vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash. The hazards: if the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury. Affected vehicle: Chevrolet 2015-2016 Chevrolet City Express [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Date Of Incident: 2020-08-24
  • Date Complaint: 2020-09-16
  • VIN: 1GB6G5CG2F1
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILED AT 19,900 MILES. ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OR THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STOPPING WHILE I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. .I HAVE CONFIRMED THE PART THAT FAILED WAS THE AC/DELCO FUEL PUMP RELAY P/N 13502750 I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE READ OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND ADVISED THEM TO FILE COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA
Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Date Of Incident: 2019-01-22
  • Date Complaint: 2020-01-30
  • VIN: 1GAXG1FG8F1
  • Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CITY EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE SERVICE STABILITY TRAC (ABS) LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (CHAPMAN CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 6925 ESSINGTON AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINES FLUSHED AND THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND STEERING SENSOR CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,791. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Date Of Incident: 2019-12-17
  • Date Complaint: 2020-01-21
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 3N63M0ZN8FK
  • Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: SIDE IMPACT FROM A SEMI TOTALED NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED
Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Date Of Incident: 2019-08-19
  • Date Complaint: 2019-11-09
  • VIN: 3N63M0YN9FK
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: MY 2015 CHEVY CITY EXPRESS VAN HAS 25,000 MILES TO THIS DAY, IN AUGUST 2019 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET AUTHORIZED DEALER AT MATHEWS-HARGREAVES IN THE CITY OF ROYAL OAK MICHIGAN 48067, WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS STILL EFFECTIVE, MY COMPLAINT WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD KEEPS COMING ON FROM A CODE RELATED TO EMISSION PROBLEM, AFTER 5 VISITS, AND COUPLE OF PARTS WERE REPLACED BY THE WARRANTY, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME, AND I SHOULD TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE, I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE PAPER WORK, DATES, WITH ME, IT IS AWFUL TO HAVE A NEW CAR WITH WARRANTY THAT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER CAN NOT AND WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE SAME VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, BUT THE COMPLAINT AND THE INITIAL PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY,
Chevrolet City express 2017
  • Date Of Incident: 2018-05-21
  • Date Complaint: 2018-05-21
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: 2017 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOCATION OF GRAB HANDLE. THE LOCATION OF THE HANDLE IMPAIRS THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO MAKE COMPLETE TURNS, *LD *JS
Chevrolet City express 2017
  • Date Of Incident: 2017-07-10
  • Date Complaint: 2017-07-10
  • VIN: 3N63M0YN4HK
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: RECALLS.GOV DOES NOT ACCEPT THIS VIN #?
Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Date Of Incident: 2016-07-22
  • Date Complaint: 2016-10-31
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CITY EXPRESS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Recalls Chevrolet City express

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet City express.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Chevrolet City express 2017
  • Report Received Date: 2018-08-21
  • Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
  • Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
  • Consequence: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
  • Model: Chevrolet City express 2015
  • Report Received Date: 2016-04-26
  • Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
  • Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
  • Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
  • Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Latest negative Chevrolet City express car reviews

  1. Matteo Lemke 2024-10-28

    Vehicle year: 2015

    When I first got this van, I absolutely loved it! I have noticed some reviews stating that it may be slow, but I have found that it is only slow on takeoff (similar to a golf cart) due to its continuous variable transmission (CVT), which is supposed to save gas (although I don't see how it could). I personally drive between 95 and 115mph daily on the highway, so it is definitely fast enough for my needs. I have also seen reviews criticizing its cargo space compared to other vans, but I have found that the only van of its size with more room is the Ram. The Ford Transit (small one) does not have more room for cargo and it also doesn't have a 3/4 ton load capacity (nor overhead clearance) like the City Express, which you can actually load a full pallet into (including 50-25lb bags of rock salt), with a forklift and still have some room in front of the pallet. If you need more room, it may be best to choose a bigger van (the 'Big 3' make at least 3 different size cargo vans depending on what you need). This little van has a higher load capacity than my full-sized pickup and gets between 25-35mpg, which is great! However, there are some cons that people should be aware of before purchasing one of these tin cans. The body mechanics are total garbage. The door handles and latches are made of the cheapest junk metal they could find to build these. The passenger door won't open, the driver side side door won't open, the rear door handle sticks open and has to be maneuvered manually to keep it from flying open, and the passenger side door latch doesn't spring back on its own, it has to be tripped to close it. The only door that still works well is the one that gets used the most (ironically)- the driver door. Additionally, the 14-gallon gas tank means that the decent gas mileage doesn't stop you from having to get gas daily (or in my case, twice a day). Lastly, the windshield seems to be cursed. I have had to replace my windshield 3 times in 2 years. It seems that even a mosquito splatting against it will crack it. Despite these issues, I still think this van is a great choice for those who need a small cargo van with a high load capacity and good gas mileage.*The van requires 6 ply tires, which can be expensive as most tire shops refuse to put regular tires on it. Instead of the usual $40 per tire, it costs $180 per tire. Additionally, the van tends to wear out tires quickly, especially if driven at high speeds. The front tires tend to bald within a year, while the rear tires remain in good condition, but they seem to leak air frequently, requiring constant refilling. The odometer can be unreliable if the tire pressure is not optimal, as the tire sensor can hijack the panel. This can be frustrating, especially in the winter when tires tend to lose pressure overnight. The back tires also tend to start leaking after about 3 months on new tires, despite cleaning and replacing the rims. However, the motor in this van has proven to be durable and can handle hard driving habits. Overall, while some aspects of the van may be problematic, the engine is reliable. It is unfortunate that Chevy put their bowties on this Nissan-made van, and it may be worth considering other options. *

  2. Hillard Collins 2024-09-22

    Vehicle year: 2017

    My Chevy City Express van had some issues with the front end at only 16k miles. Despite being driven gently, the front end parts still fell apart. However, the van is versatile and has great gas mileage of 30 mpg combined, as long as you don't stomp on the gas at takeoff. The 4 cylinder engine is powerful enough to handle a full 1500 lb. load, making it a gas sipper. The van is also highly maneuverable, except for the front end clunking issue. The CVT transmission could be improved, but overall the van is a good choice. I had plans to customize the interior and add seats, belts, and chrome wheels, but unfortunately, it is now unlawful to do so without a license. Loading and unloading everything is easy with this van. Although it turned out to be made in Mexico by Nissan, I still wish Chevrolet made a quality van like the Astro with improved gas mileage and without a tow package. Overall, the Chevy City Express van is a good choice for those looking for versatility and good gas mileage.

  3. Brendan Schulist 2024-07-11

    Vehicle year: 2017

    When I first got this van, I absolutely loved it! I have noticed some reviews stating that it may be slow, but I have found that it is only slow on takeoff (similar to a golf cart) due to its continuous variable transmission (CVT), which is supposed to save gas (although I don't see how it could). I personally drive between 95 and 115mph daily on the highway, so it is definitely fast enough for my needs. I have also seen reviews criticizing its cargo space compared to other vans, but I have found that the only van of its size with more room is the Ram. The Ford Transit (small one) does not have more room for cargo and it also doesn't have a 3/4 ton load capacity (nor overhead clearance) like the City Express, which you can actually load a full pallet into (including 50-25lb bags of rock salt), with a forklift and still have some room in front of the pallet. If you need more room, it may be best to choose a bigger van (the 'Big 3' make at least 3 different size cargo vans depending on what you need). This little van has a higher load capacity than my full-sized pickup and gets between 25-35mpg, which is great! However, there are some cons that people should be aware of before purchasing one of these tin cans. The body mechanics are total garbage. The door handles and latches are made of the cheapest junk metal they could find to build these. The passenger door won't open, the driver side side door won't open, the rear door handle sticks open and has to be maneuvered manually to keep it from flying open, and the passenger side door latch doesn't spring back on its own, so it has to be tripped to close it. The only door that still works well is the one that gets used the most (ironically)- the driver door. Additionally, the 14-gallon gas tank means that the decent gas mileage doesn't stop you from having to get gas daily (or in my case, twice a day). Lastly, the windshield seems to be cursed. I have had to replace my windshield 3 times in 2 years. It seems that even a mosquito splatting against it will crack it.*The van requires 6 ply tires, which can be expensive as most tire shops refuse to put regular tires on it. Instead of the usual $40 per tire, it costs $180 per tire. Additionally, the van tends to wear out tires quickly, especially if driven at high speeds. The front tires tend to bald within a year, while the rear tires remain in good condition, but they seem to leak air frequently, requiring constant refilling. The odometer can be unreliable if the tire pressure is not optimal, as the tire sensor can hijack the panel. This can be frustrating, especially in the winter when tires tend to lose pressure overnight. The back tires also tend to start leaking after about 3 months on new tires, despite cleaning and replacing the rims. However, the motor in this van has proven to be durable and can handle hard driving habits. Overall, while some aspects of the van may be problematic, the engine is reliable. It is unfortunate that Chevy put their bowties on this Nissan-made van, and it may be worth considering other options. *

Latest positive Chevrolet City express car reviews

  1. Edward Jerde 2024-11-03

    Vehicle year: 2017

    This work van is perfect for its advertised purpose, although it may not be the best choice if you're looking for a fast car or high power. However, it is comfortable, roomy, and has a nice feature of a passenger seat that can be used as a desk. If you're looking for better gas mileage, you may want to consider the city express. I have been driving it for a week now and it has been great. I hope it will continue to be reliable in the future. Thank you for considering this vehicle!

  2. Magnus Dickens 2024-09-16

    Vehicle year: 2015

    This work van is perfect for its advertised purpose, although it may not be the best choice if you're looking for a fast car or high power. However, it is comfortable, roomy, and has a nice feature of a passenger seat that can be used as a desk. If you're looking for better gas mileage, you may want to consider the city express. I have been driving it for a week now and it has been great. I hope it will continue to be reliable in the future. Thank you for considering this vehicle!

  3. Roosevelt Berge 2024-05-08

    Vehicle year: 2017

    I was in search of a cargo van that wasn't too large, and I stumbled upon the perfect one for me. My plan is to use it as an everyday vehicle locally, and also for cross country trips to visit National Parks and other scenic places. Although I don't plan on living out of it, it does provide enough space to lay out a sleeping bag when needed. Since I travel solo, space is not an issue. The white exterior was a bit boring for my taste, so I searched the internet for pictures of old hippie VW Vans and came up with a totally different paint scheme. I had it drawn up and had the van totally 'wrapped' with scenes of 'Keep on Truckin' down one side, the other the Grateful Dead Bears, the rear what appears to my Charlie Browne & Snoopy watching a psychedelic sun set...all of which is tied into each other. The LT Model has more electronics than I need as I am a seat of the pants, paper map type traveler. The reverse camera has come in handy, and the XM radio (along with a CD player) is fantastic in addition to hookup for an IPOD. I try to travel 75% of my time NOT on Interstates, and the suspension suits me just fine, no complaints. It's great on gas mileage and comfortable for this old man for either local or distance. I just love it!

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